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Finland and Sweden deployed fighter aircraft on Thursday after a group of Russian military planes was detected over the Gulf of Finland, the Finnis...
Azerbaijan and the United States signalled closer economic ties on Monday (9 February) as President Ilham Aliyev hosted a delegation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, highlighting the country’s investment appeal and growing interest from American companies.
During the meeting, President Aliyev underscored Azerbaijan’s commitment to trust-based partnerships and long-term economic cooperation.
“But I have always said that Azerbaijan will never be an area of confrontation; it will be an area of cooperation,” Aliyev said.
He stressed that the country’s expanding network of strategic partnerships reflects its balanced foreign policy and openness to cooperation with a wide range of international partners.
Aliyev highlighted Azerbaijan’s favourable business environment and its role in Europe’s energy security, noting that the country has attracted around $350 billion in investment over the past two decades.
“In general, the business climate in the country is very positive. We have attracted huge investments,” he said, adding that Azerbaijan has remained consistently open to foreign investment.
He pointed to long-standing production sharing agreements signed three decades ago, noting:
“Not a single word has been changed.”
The president said maintaining trust with investors has been central to Azerbaijan’s economic strategy, warning that “only one wrong step can ruin that trust.”
The Azerbaijani president said relations with Washington are entering “a new, absolutely fantastic era,” expressing enthusiasm about expanding direct engagement between U.S. and Azerbaijani companies.
“We are very enthusiastic and we want to use this great opportunity to establish direct contact between the companies,” Aliyev said.
He noted that the presence of both long-standing partners and new companies in the delegation creates opportunities to deepen existing cooperation and attract fresh investment.
Khush Choksy, Senior Vice President at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said Azerbaijan’s economy is highly attractive to American businesses, citing strong interest across multiple sectors.
Choksy noted that a large group of U.S. companies arrived in Azerbaijan as part of the delegation he led: "Here we have companies representing sectors from energy to telecommunications."
He emphasised that the delegation includes more than 31 companies represented by more than 60 delegates, covering nearly all areas of the economy.
Choksy said deeper engagement between the two countries should be mutual and extend beyond individual visits.
“Engagement should be reciprocal. For example, we would be happy to meet with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in the United States and host ministers during their visits to Washington or New York to meet with representatives of American companies".
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remained low on Thursday, as Iran reiterated that it will neither enter into new negotiations with the United States nor re-open the Strait as long as its conditions are not met, despite recent indirect talks in New York mediated by Qatar.
As the Ukraine war is highlighted by some leaders during the United Nations' 81st General Assembly meeting in New York, Russian forces attacked the Ukrainian capital Kyiv early on Thursday with ballistic missiles, killing two people and injuring six, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said.
The 81st UN General Assembly continues in New York on Wednesday, with another day of high-level speeches and diplomatic meetings. The wars in the Middle East and Ukraine, global security and international cooperation remain at the centre of discussions.
The 81st UN General Assembly has wrapped up its third day in New York on Thursday, with world leaders delivering high-level speeches and holding diplomatic meetings.
Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan will hold an urgent high-level meeting under a joint defence pact to discuss ways to support the kingdom amid attacks by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis. The meeting comes as Tehran seeks to distance itself from the rapid advance of its Houthi allies.
Twelve Kazakh military personnel died after being swept out to sea during a naval training exercise in the western Mangistau region, authorities said on Thursday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mounted a forceful defence of Israel's actions in the region at the United Nations on Thursday, seeking to counter growing international isolation ahead of elections he could lose, as dozens of delegates streamed out.
Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have escalated again, with Pakistani security sources saying its troops thwarted an attempted Afghan Taliban attack in the Gulistan sector of Balochistan on Thursday, along Pakistan’s western border with Afghanistan, killing several Taliban fighters.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze used his address to the UN General Assembly's 81st session in New York this week to make a two-part case: that Georgia is becoming an indispensable regional hub, and that it remains open to repairing ties with international partners.
The World Nomad Games, which began in 2014, are a biennial tournament of traditional nomad sports, mostly originating from Central Asia. It's an alternative test of strength, both mental and physical, and are a wild, spectacular sight to behold.
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